blues_man

Responses from blues_man

PayPal not as safe as everyone thinks?
Now everyone should now why so many internet companies went under. A lot of them are just in it for a quick buck and don't have a good foundation. If you've had problems with them, let the SEC know. There is a big review phase before they can go IPO. 
Pro Cables vs. Audio Cables....Are We Being Duped?
I have been using RC Audio cables for years. They are as good as (or better than) most high-end cables. They cost much less. I've got top of the line 1 meter interconnects for about $200 a pair. Compare that with the $$$Thousand+ interconnects. I ... 
Is Audio Research PH3 phono the best for today's price?
I got a set of Amperex tubes from Upscale. I also have Amperex in my Ref phono stage which replaced the PH3. 
Best cleaning fluid procedures with VPI HW16.5??
The dish detergent is only used as the first pass for really dirty (especially greasy fingerprints) records. Use with tap water. They need to be rinsed off and then cleaned with distilled water or everyday LP cleaner. I find that really old finger... 
Redbooks: as good on Sony SACD as on Cary 303?
The comment about DSPs was in their use to create audio effects. I tried one out, and found that on certain recordings, certain settings produced subjectively pleasing results, but for the most part it just got in the way of the recording. As far ... 
Best cleaning fluid procedures with VPI HW16.5??
If a record is really dirty, I use a stronger solution of surfactant. Only certain surfactants are good for vinyl. All of those are liquid at room temp. This is where a small amount of solvent helps get more of the surfactant into solution. I use ... 
convergent/koetsu. Opinions
I listened to my RSP with a friend's CAT preamp. I am still amazed at how quiet the Koetsu's are. The CAT has enough for an RSP which has an even lower output. 
Redbooks: as good on Sony SACD as on Cary 303?
There is no control bit. There is additional data in the packet. Being an engineer, I pick well engineered components , instead of components based on really esoteric designs. I remember when I first got into CDs in the early 90s, companies were s... 
Best cleaning fluid procedures with VPI HW16.5??
10% alcohol is a lot. You usually don't need to break anything down on viyl because not too many things bond to vinyl. If some solvent is needed, it should be not very volatile. More than 99% of of records can be cleaned with a surfactant. Some ma... 
Redbooks: as good on Sony SACD as on Cary 303?
After 10 - 12 years or more, they had better sound better. The improvements aren't that great though. Most less expensive models still have a hard time with dynamics and low level detail. My DAC is the Spectral which hasn't changed in about 8 year... 
Great Record Stores in Basel or Zurich, Switzerland???
You lucked out. The girl in the next office lived in Switzerland. She says to check out this URL:http://www.spiritofhouse.com/Shop.htm 
Best cleaning fluid procedures with VPI HW16.5??
Never use a volatile alcohol on a vinyl record. Alcohol can only hurt records not clean them; it will make them harder and harder to keep clean by attacking the vinyl's natural protectant. Alcohol is an organic SOLVENT. Unless you have spilled som... 
Thiel CS 1.5 vs Small Martin Logan?
If you like the Thiel speakers, you probably won't like Martin Logan speakers. They are about as far apart as Krell amps are to VACs. 
Stereophile Class A
You can have too much power. Most SET amps lower power versions are better 
Can a Sumiko BPS be retipped at a reasonable cost.
Get a BEnz high output cartridge. Retipping is very reasonable. It's painless to upgrade. They sound great.